Bush's united GOP

Republicans are hoping to portray as much unity as Democrats did at their upcoming convention. They hope to achieve this goal by staying as close to moderate as possible. Featured speakers include pro abortion politicians such as California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani, as well as John McCain, who voted against the gay marriage amendment.

That gay marriage amendment has upset the Log Cabin Republicans, a group of over 12,000 Republicans who support gay right while somehow maintaining support for the GOP. They seem a little upset at their representation at the RNC. Or rather lack thereof.

...away from the spotlight, infighting appears about to break out over the GOP platform's stance on gay rights. The issue is important to the White House because the appearance of intolerance could sway critical swing voters.

Log Cabin Republicans, a group of 12,000 gay conservatives, is teaming up with Republicans who support abortion rights to challenge the expected GOP platform on family issues.

The GOP's platform from 2000 is expected to be the framework for this year's effort. It declares that marriage is the "legal union of one man and one woman," and that "the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed."

The Log Cabin Republicans plan to hold a news conference Monday with Republicans for Choice and the Republican Youth Majority to outline their strategy.

Pitching a "party unity plank," they are suggesting that the platform declare that "Republicans of good faith disagree" on family issues - language sure to be an anathema to the president and his base of social conservative supporters.

(snip)

The proposed unity plank states: "We recognize and respect that Republicans of good faith may not agree with all the planks in the party's platform. This is particularly the case with regard to those planks dealing with abortion, family planning, and gay and lesbian issues. The Republican Party welcomes all people on all sides of these complex issues and encourages their active participation as we work together on those issues upon which we agree."

Of course, this plank would further upset the actual conservatives of the Republican party, some of who have been seriously contemplating not endorsing W.

Janice Crouse, a leader of Concerned Women for America, said President Bush should worry more about evangelical Christian voters, or he will jeopardize their support in tight races in the crucial swing states. "The gays and pro-abortion people are saying you've got to add a plank," Crouse said. "If the president adds that plank, they will nail him to it."

Actual Republicans would rather have speakers that reflect their views, such as party hero Henry Hyde.

Indiana Rep. Mike Pence got 127 Republicans in Congress to sign a letter calling for a central speaking role for Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R-Ill.), who is anti-abortion, saying his appearance would electrify the delegates like "Elvis at Memphis."

Hyde, you may remember, was a leader in the impeachment against President Bill Clinton. And Hyde was the perfect choice, as he knows a thing or two about sexual affairs.

The centrist speakers chosen for the RNC have evoked even more party outrage:

Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly said she thought her party was engaged in a misguided attempt to spotlight moderate "political celebrities" who play well to a liberal media... Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson is talking about not going to New York at all.

"Apparently political stars get rewarded with a prime-time convention spot if they disagree with President Bush's position" on a constitutional gay marriage ban, "as well as ... President Bush's position on the right to life," conservative columnist Paul Weyrich said. "They can also disagree with the president's position on capital punishment, guns and a host of other issues."

"As an Orthodox Christian, I am outraged that men like this would be highlighted," Weyrich said. "If the president is embarrassed to be seen with conservatives at the convention, maybe conservatives will be embarrassed to be seen with the president on election day."

And if the Republican convention and it's moderate speakers leave you to wonder where Bush fails on the spectrum, take it from one who knows:

[Christian Coalition spokeswoman Michelle Ammons]Ammons said. "I think [Bush] is the most conservative president we've ever had."